Divorce lawyers know that negotiations about money and splitting property at the end of a marriage can get really messy. Fortunately, though, once the decisions are made, the process is over and done with. When it comes to negotiating child custody and support, however, child support attorneys can tell you that this is the true hard part of getting a divorce.
Many people believe that, like splitting property and dividing the finances, child support is a one-time negotiation. That?s not how it works. In reality, the conditions of child support can change based on a variety of factors.
It can be messy, it can be nasty, but as long as you work closely with your child support attorney and follow these simple tips, your child support negotiations should be relatively painless.
- Keep detailed records.
Always keep detailed records of all the child support payments you receive or give. It?s not worth the risk to rely on a third party to keep track of your payments for you. - Document correspondence.
Always keep a written record of conversations with your ex about child support money (i.e. how it?s being spent). Having these conversations documented makes dispute resolution that much easier. Realistically, verbal agreements with no record won?t do you any good in court. - Stay in constant communication.
Right after a divorce, talking to your ex is probably the last thing you want to do. For the wellbeing of your child, however, you must keep the lines of communication open. That being said, if you are on bad terms, keep your communication brief and relevant to the topic of your child. Getting into an unrelated argument may just complicate the situation further. If you have an issue with your ex withholding child support or you believe that the payment amount or due date is incorrect, bring these records to your attorney for assistance. Withholding child support payments comes with serious consequences.
At the end of the day, everything you do should be in the best interest of your child. Child support is necessary to give him or her the best life possible.
If you have any questions, reach out to your local Maryland divorce attorney or child support lawyer.
